Extra with Petra - Achieve more

Was January 2025 very long for you? I met a nurse this month, after I gave her a free ride from Adenta to Danfa. She said she could not wait for December 2025 to come. This is because she cannot wait to finish her studies. I believe she is in the minority. I want the days to go slowly because I have so much to do. But if there is a good reason for the days to go fast, it is because you are expecting some money to hit your account, and that day should come faster. If you want more money to hit your account, you have to work to achieve more. This is where I introduce you to Achieve, an app by Petra that I have been using to save and invest money.

The Achieve App was just named as one of the winners of the World Summit Awards 2024, alongside other Ghanaian apps - Chango and Khaya. Shout outs to Kofi, Chris, Seth, Huzaifa, Daniel, and all those involved in Achieve. In years past, Ghanaian startups like Leti Arts, Bloom Impact, Farmerline, and Naa Sika have been recognized at these awards. For 2024, in an unprecedented show of prowess that would make you say "More vim!", Ghana has 3 award winners out of 40! These final 40 winners, from 29 countries, were chosen for their exceptional ingenuity in using the latest technology to improve people's lives and create a sustainable business model. Learn about the winners via the WSA Global website. According to the WSA website, Achieve revolutionizes financial services in Ghana by simplifying investments for middle-class users. Supported by Petra, it offers secure, goal-driven mutual funds, attracting 74,000 active users and transforming financial habits.

I first heard about Achieve a few years ago through Chris Hammond, who has been the Deputy Managing Director at Petra Holdings for many years. I befriended him while he was doing his MBA at MIT Sloan circa 2006. I can remember parties we were at together. You know true MBA students party a lot. Or should I say networking? Since we are talking about startups, how about startup linkup? We had conversations about Petra through the years, especially Achieve, and how this app has become a full-fledged startup, stepping out of the pension-business shadows. Petra folks would say this with a booster, #WeAreEvolving. Chris is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Achieve.

Some people I talk to Achieve about get wary about it, thanks to various investment schemes that promised too-good-to-be-true returns and ended up as scams. For some of these investments, I could tell from day one that they were scams. Did you check out Chris Hammond on LinkedIn? The likes of Chris do not push investment scams, even you are meeting them for the first time. But in just case you need more information and convincing, Petra Securities Limited is a Securities and Exchange Commission-licensed subsidiary of Petra that provides broker services. Petra Securities limited is committed to providing innovative and customized financial planning services to individuals and institutions in Ghana through the design and delivery of innovative financial solutions backed by exceptional customer service to ensure the overall financial well-being of Ghanaian workers and investors in Ghana’s capital markets. Do not worry about haircuts, with Achieve. 

My fellow GhanaThink member, Peter Asare-Nyarko, has been saying, "Earn, Save, Invest". Our Barcamp Tema Resources Lead said something I like even more "Make Money, Multiple Money, Manage Money". He runs the Center for Financial Literacy Education Africa. CFLE Africa has run multiple breakout sessions at Barcamps in Ghana on financial literacy, even before Covid. GhanaThink has also partnered CFLE Africa on Financial Literacy Month in April, as well as Estate & Gift Planning Month in October, through Barcamps and Konnect Meetups around Ghana. I have been learning about financial literacy and Achieve is helping me practice it. 

I opened a DigiSave on the Achieve App before Covid and I have been happy with the returns. The fund's growth per day is 0.0655%. The AYTD (Annualized Year To Date) Return is 19.27%. In 2024, I started using the Eurobond Trust product as well. This fund's growth is 0.2865% per day. As for the AYTD return for this, you have to see me in chambers. Okay. I hear you. If there are 3 comments on this blog, I would edit this blog post and add the figure. For 2025, I have decided to invest a lot more, with ....... Achieve. There's the Global Tech product too!

The Achieve team at Petra has spent many nights trying to make the app user-friendly. I think it is. You can set investment goals or clear financial goals—whether it was saving for a down payment on a house, starting a business, or just building a safety net. Some of you may be wondering about fees. It costs 1% to top up with your debit card. They use expressPay for top ups too! Payments, made simple. Bradez!!!

It does not matter what work you do, or how much you earn. The Financial Fitness Coach in Peter Asare Nyarko would tell you you should follow the 50-30-20 rule, like he did at the Accra Konnect Meetup in January 2025 where we discussed: Setting The Tone for an Impactful 2025. This budgeting method divides your monthly income into three categories: needs, wants, and savings. The rule can help you manage your spending and stay on track with your financial goals. Even if you are a nurse like the one I gave the free ride to, you can save 20% of your salary. I think you should rather invest that 20%. Actually, make it 23.3%. 😄

Through the app’s interactive tools, users are able to assess their financial health, get personalized investment plans, and set automated contributions to an investment portfolio that matched their risk tolerance and time horizon. Achieve is "Smart Investing, Simplified". As per official communication, the app offers expert-curated portfolios that diversified investments across various asset classes, spreading out risk while maximizing potential returns. Download the App via  https://bit.ly/downloadachieveApp or better still, appreciate me for this post, by using my referral link 😊💰👊